I am trying to find someone who can give me some relatively informed advice regarding federal employment. Here's 'the deal'...I enlisted in the Navy in 2001 immediately after graduating high school. I ended up in the nuclear power pipeline in South Carolina. I had lasted for about a year when I had what could be charactorized as a nervous breakdown. As it turns out, the military lifestyle and I didn't mesh as well as I had hoped. I received an honorable discharge and was sent on my way. My DD-214 charactorizes this discharge as honorable, but as a 'narrative reason' it cites 'personality disorder'... Now, six years later, I am a graduate student with an otherwise sterling record (volunteer hours, a good gpa, solid work history, etc). I had hoped to pursue employment in the federal government upon graduation, but I am concerned about the effect of the charactorization of my discharge paperwork. I was never involved in anything requiring disciplinary action while enlisted, or as a civilian for that matter. I have tried to gather opinions on the topic, but the best answer I can get is "...Dude, don't worry about it...". Obviously I am looking for something a little more concrete. I am not under the care of a mental health professional or anything of the sort. I was young and and immature when this all took place...although that is not an excuse. In hindsight, I really wish I had been able to stick it out. Unfortunately, I am now growing to fear the consequences of my immaturity. I would really appreciate any legitimate advice/wisdom/commentary/direction from anyone who can provide it.
I think I can help. When I asked the Naval Personal Records section for copies of my discharge they included something call a Certification of Military Service - It can be substituted for a DD-214 and has no narrative, just dates of Service, rank and type of discharge.
You'll also be required to complete an OF 306, Declaration for Federal Employment. You only have to indicate honorable discharge, not characterization of service.
maybe someone here can help, i'm an aircraft mechanic with an faa airframe and powerplant license, i got out of the air force after 4 years as an aircraft electrician. i have been trying since i got out in 2002 to get a civil service job, i've had one interview (at least thats what they called it) at tinker afb. but thats it. i've applied for well over 50 jobs- some that i'm overqualified for, to no avail. i've done my research and have taken most of the steps people suggest, i guess i'm down the "its who you know" stage-- and i don't know anyone, so what can i do?
I truly understand you "acmech" for I am a Vietnam Era Viet with a Masters degree in Nursing (Gerontology). Have applied numerous times from when I was an LPN until today an RN. The need is there and each time I have gone to the VA have listed persons working there have had no response or told there was no opening. My suggestion is to write to your congressman or woman and inform them also remind them of the shortage in which you can forward them a copy of the crisis from Vets. retiring. The other person who responded must have a job and has forgotten the purpose for veterans helping veterans through the VA. To all Veterans lets not be mean to each other we have all faced something during our times of service in which civilians will never understand so let's not fight each other.
My name is Andy I am 56 retired from the Air Force. For years I have tried to get into Civil Service with no luck. I was in Training Management applied for several jobs in different fiels and kept getting turned down. It just seemed like personnel did everything they could to keep u out. Now I saw the article about Civil Service hurting for people. My question is how do I get accepted. Andy tucker481@prtcnet.com
From my experience if you get a civil service job, your credentials will be reviewed at some point. Friend of mine was at the Post Office for several months.
He had omitted a relatively minor courtmarshall. He was fired for the omission. If he had listed it, he would have kept the job.
Hey all- I am a current Guard solider that has been applying for federal seasonal jobs for a few years for the fire season that happens out here in the western US mostly. Most of the jobs I apply for are found on USA JOBS and Avue central. I was told when I was at Job Corps prior to being military that someone that list that they are a veteran will be pushed to the top of the hiring list to be looked at first. I hope this makes sense. I had to turn down 1 or 2 federal offers last season due to me leaving for basic and Ait. Most applications can be done online on these sites. I know some of the process if anyone needs help.
Originally posted by Tucker481: My name is Andy I am 56 retired from the Air Force. For years I have tried to get into Civil Service with no luck. I was in Training Management applied for several jobs in different fiels and kept getting turned down. It just seemed like personnel did everything they could to keep u out. Now I saw the article about Civil Service hurting for people. My question is how do I get accepted. Andy tucker481@prtcnet.com
Just Got my latest you are not qualified for anything in the VA System today. Applied for a job that required HS diploma and minor medical experience. I have college and worked in emergency medical for over 7 years in the Army and over 17 years in the IT field. It is a system you have to know someone to get hired or whatever. I am just po'd about this crap when they want help they tell us to go away.
Arm yourselves with information about the government hiring process. I started a site to help vets learn about getting that federal job you deserve with no strings attached. Go visit it and then drop me a line with your questions.
Originally posted by 15688562: I truly understand you "acmech" for I am a Vietnam Era Viet with a Masters degree in Nursing (Gerontology). Have applied numerous times from when I was an LPN until today an RN. The need is there and each time I have gone to the VA have listed persons working there have had no response or told there was no opening. My suggestion is to write to your congressman or woman and inform them also remind them of the shortage in which you can forward them a copy of the crisis from Vets. retiring. The other person who responded must have a job and has forgotten the purpose for veterans helping veterans through the VA. To all Veterans lets not be mean to each other we have all faced something during our times of service in which civilians will never understand so let's not fight each other.
15688562: I guess a question I would have to you is WHERE are you applying for a job, military or VA? Also, how often are you checking back? These sites may hold onto your resume, but after awhile it tends to get buried at the bottom of the pile.
Additionally, there are occaisional hiring freezes at MTF's and VA due to federal budget. Not saying it isn't hard to get a job, but it is possible. You might be better off trying to arrange a tour of the local facility where you might have a chance to meet with the hiring office and/or a department supervisor. If they see you/know you, you have a better chance obviously.
Unfortunately, I have been told that for RN's there is "no veteran's preference" by the local VA, this from a vet in the hiring office.
My best advice to someone looking for a federal civilian job, is to first work as a government contractor. In this way, you work alongside the government workers day-to-day, and can make yourself indespensible. This "creates" a job opening for you, and they'll work hard to hire you as a government worker.
So, whenever you see a government position posted on any government website, look for the "opening" and "closing" dates for the position (i.e. the window for applying). If it is only 2-4 weeks... chances are it's an advertisement (required by law) that has been tailored for a specific individual, and you have about a snowball's chance in hell of competing for it!
Key: Get hired as a contractor first (if possible), because that's how you get to know people. It's much easier to create an opportunity to "get-in-the-door" (so to speak).
A psychiatric diagnosis of a "personality disorder" does not imply any impairment of judgement as would a diagnosis of schizophrenia. If there is no impairment of judgement, the diagnosis would have no significant affect on your ability to do the job. As a result, if you are denied employment because of the same, it appears to me that the same would not be valid legal reason for employment denial such that legal recourse might be pursued because of the same.
Under the ADA you are not required to disclose any disability during an interview. If you need accommodation for a disability, upon hiring you would need to disclose it, and then ADA rules apply. Militaedes you are wrong on describing personality disorder and its effect on job performance.
It is who you know. I retired 10 years ago after 22 years in the Air Force. I've had an application on file for most of that time with the FAA. I've spent the last 3 years getting to know the right people and finally I start on 4/28 with the FAA.
quote:
Originally posted by acmech: maybe someone here can help, i'm an aircraft mechanic with an faa airframe and powerplant license, i got out of the air force after 4 years as an aircraft electrician. i have been trying since i got out in 2002 to get a civil service job, i've had one interview (at least thats what they called it) at tinker afb. but thats it. i've applied for well over 50 jobs- some that i'm overqualified for, to no avail. i've done my research and have taken most of the steps people suggest, i guess i'm down the "its who you know" stage-- and i don't know anyone, so what can i do?
Without seeming presumptious, I assume that you are implying that a diagnosis of a personality disorder implies a disorder in judgment which would imply an inability to function in a position. I simply disagree with you on that matter. If that were the case, then anyone diagnosed with a "personality disorder" after leaving the armed forces could seek disability compensation for the same as "a service connected disability." Since almost every person has a "personality disorder" of some sort, almost every veteran could successfully apply for the same. I am all for it!
quote:
Originally posted by Dave_M: Under the ADA you are not required to disclose any disability during an interview. If you need accommodation for a disability, upon hiring you would need to disclose it, and then ADA rules apply. Militaedes you are wrong on describing personality disorder and its effect on job performance.
I have to agree with the intent and purpose of the post below. I am an R.N. and a Vietnam Combat veteran. I have applied for R.N. positions and non-R.N. positions at the Dallas VA, and through other Federal agencies, and have been denied employment with regard to the same. I did work as an L.V.N., before I became an R.N., on the Med-Surg floor at the Dallas VA. I quit after six months after I was not given my scheduled automatic raise. This raise was due if I had not missed any days of work and had never been tardy. I qualified for the same. This raise was not given. No explanation was given for the same. It was clear to me that I was being discriminated against. So, I quit. The Dallas VA, and other VA hospitals, are very short of nurses. They have a history of strongly supporting affirmative action and the hiring of foreign born nurses both of which tend to result in discrimination against veterans. This practice is highly unjust and is one of the reasons for the nursing shortage at the VA and throughout the nation.
quote:
Originally posted by 15688562: I truly understand you "acmech" for I am a Vietnam Era Viet with a Masters degree in Nursing (Gerontology). Have applied numerous times from when I was an LPN until today an RN. The need is there and each time I have gone to the VA have listed persons working there have had no response or told there was no opening. My suggestion is to write to your congressman or woman and inform them also remind them of the shortage in which you can forward them a copy of the crisis from Vets. retiring. The other person who responded must have a job and has forgotten the purpose for veterans helping veterans through the VA. To all Veterans lets not be mean to each other we have all faced something during our times of service in which civilians will never understand so let's not fight each other.
